Single lever control for throttle and clutch



p l 5; 1966 R. c. HEIDN'ERY 3,244,262

SINGLE LEVER CONTROL FOR THROTTLE AND CLUTCH Filed March 12. 1964 FFVIASE I (was 77 I 4/ ,2 m 53- ll/Ill INVENTOR. 27012? (la/41m 6 United States Patent Ofiice 3,244,262 Patented Apr. 5, 1966 3,244,262 SlNGLE LEVER CGNTRGL FOR THROTTLE AND CLUTCH Richard C. Heidner, Galesburg, lllL, assignor to Outboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan, Ii]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 351,462 11 Claims. (Cl. 192.096)

The invention relates generally to single lever controls for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, and more particularly to such controls for an engine having an electrically operated clutch means. Still more particularly, the invention relates to single lever controls including switch means on the frame of the control and a single lever having means engageable with the switch means to effect actuation thereof. 7

The invention provides for means for actuating said switch or other clutch controlling means including a segment which is located so as to normally initially effect actuation of said switch means in response to control lever movement and which is movable toa position Which avoids engagement of the switch means during control lever movement to afford throttle advance without actuation of the switch means. In addition, the invention resides in the provision of means for displacing said segment from its switch engaging position, thereby avoiding actuation of the switch means in response to at least a part of the throttle advancing movement of the control lever. In the preferred embodiment, this means cornprises a linkage movable generally along the control lever. Preferably, the 'linkage includes a trigger element or member which is readfly accessible by the hand of the operator holdinglthe control lever.

The invention also provides means for biasing the movable segment into its switch engaging position,for retaining the segment in its switch avoiding position during throttle advancing lever movement, and for limiting throttle advancing lever movement when the segment is so positioned.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partially schematic, partially broken away, and partially sectioned elevational view of a control device which is mounted on the hull of a boat and which embodies various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating the control device shown in FIGURE '1 in a position affording throttle advance Without actuation of the engine clutch;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken through the single lever embodied in the control shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 3 showing an alternative arrangement for limiting throttle advancing movement of the lever when the clutch actuating arrangement is rendered partially inoperative.

The speed and clutch control device 11 illustrated in FIGURE 1 is one example of various arrangements that can be employed for engine control. The device 11 is mounted on the hull 12 of a boat and is intended for control of an engine 13 (shown schematically) having an adjustable throttle 15 and an electrically actuated clutch 17 including a pair of energizeable coils 19 and 21, which coils enable operation of the engine in neutral, in forward drive, and in rearward drive conditions. Forward drive is provided incident to energizing of the coil 19 and rearward drive is provided incident to energizing of the coil 21. When neither of the coils is energized, the engine 13 is in neutral. 'One example of an engine incorporating an electrically actuated reversing clutch is fully disclosed in copending application Serial No. 143,773, filed on October 9, 1961, entitled, Marine Propulsion Device With Electromagnetic Reversing Clutch, and assigned to the assignee of this application.

The control device 11 includes a supporting housing or frame 23, a single control lever 25", and means including a stud 26 carried by the frame 23 for supporting said control lever for movement in a single plane and, on each side of a neutral position, for movement through a shift range and then through a speed or throttle advance range. Any suitable means can be employed for mounting the single lever, such as for example, the arrangement disclosed in copending application Serial No. 177,018, filed March 2, 1962, now Patent No. 3,139,767 issued July 7, 1964, entitled, Single Lever Electrical Control, and assigned to the assignee of this application.

Connected to the control lever 25 is means adapted for controlling the setting of the engine throttle. Various arrangements can be employed. The disclosed construction is essentially the same as that disclosed in application Serial No. 177,018, and includes an arm 27 pivoted, at one end, to the frame 23 and pivoted at its other end to a bar or rod 31 which, in turn, is connected to one end of the core 33 of a push-pull cable 35. The adjacent end of the sheath 37 of the push-pull cable 35 is attached to the frame 23. Rocking of the arm 27 therefore causes shifting of the cable core 33 within the sheath 37.

Rocking of the arm 27 :is provided by a cam and slot arrangement which is designed to avoid throttle advance until after normal initial actuation of the clutch controlling switch means still to be described. In the disclosed construction, a cam slot 39 is provided in the control lever and a follower 41 is mounted on the arm 27 intermediate its ends and is received in the cam slot 39.

As also disclosed in application Serial No. 177,018, switch means are provided for electrically controlling the clutch. Various arrangements of switch means and of means for connecting the switch means to the clutch can be used. For instance, a pair of switches as described in application Serial No. 177,018 can be used. In the disclosed construction, a single, normally open, double pole switch 43 is used. The switch 43 includes a cam follower 44 which is biased to a neutral position by means not shown. The two poles of the switch 4 3 are respectively connected to the coils 19 and 21.

Means are provided for actuating the switch 43 in response to movement of the control lever 25. Various arrangements can be employed. The disclosed construction is similar to that described in copending application Serial No. 177,018. The disclosed construction includes a cam, ridge, or flange 45 along the circular periphery of the lower part of the control lever 25, which ridge 45 is interrupted centrally to provide a slot 4-7 affording receipt of the follower 34 in its neutral position when the control lever 25 is in its neutral position or setting.

In accordance with the invention, the flange or ridge 45 includes a segment 49 which is located adjacent to the slot 47 and which is pivotally carried for movement relative to a position for engagement with the switch follower M so as to normally close a circuit to the coil controlling rearward drive engagement of the clutch 17. More specifically, the segment 19 is mounted, intermediate its ends, to the control lever 25, by means in the form of a pivot pin 51.

Connected to the segment end adjacent to the slot 47, is means for displacing the segment 49 from its switch follower engaging position to avoid switch operation during throttle advancing control lever movement so as to c) allow at least limited throttle advancement. In the disclosed construction, this means takes the form of an articulated linkage 53 including a lower member or link 55 which, at its lower end, is pivotally connected to the segment 49 and which, adjacent its other or upper end, extends through a guide hole 57 in a flange portion 59 of the control lever 25. The other or upper end of the link 55 is pivotally connected to a trigger, member, or element 61. The trigger 61 is mounted for movement in a way 63 which is located in a handle part 65 of the lever 25 and which extends radially outwardly with respect to the axis of lever rotation. The upper end of the trigger 61 terminates with a laterally outwardly turned tab 67 which can be grasped by one of the operators fingers when the operator holds the control lever knob 69. Radially outward displacement by the operator of the trigger 61 causes like movement of the link 55 and accompanying movement of the segment 49 from its switch follower engaging position to a position, as shown in FIGURE 2, permitting throttle advancing movement of the control lever 25 without actuation of the switch 43.

Means are also provided for retaining the trigger 61 in its radially outwardly disposed position after initial move ment of the control lever 25 from neutral. This means includes a bent ear 71 at the lower end of the trigger 61 and a co-operating slot 73 in the housing 23, which slot permits movement of the ear 71 outwardly of the housing 23 when the trigger (it is moved to its radially outward position. When the control lever 23 is displaced from its neutral position, interferring engagement between the trigger car 71 and the housing 23 prevents radially inward movement of the trigger linkage 53 relative to the housing. When in its radially innermost and radially outermost positions, the trigger 61 is free for rotary movement accompanying movement of the control lever 25, except as explained hereinafter.

Means are also provided for biasing the segment 49 to its switch follower engaging position. In the disclosed construction, this means takes the form of a spring 77 which encircles a portion 79 of the link 55 and is confined between the inner surface of the flange portion 59 and a washer or collar 81 carried by the link 55. Thus, the spring 77 serves to displace the link 55 downwardly and thereby pivot the segment 49 into its normal switch follower engaging position.

Means are also provided for limiting movement of the segment 49 from its switch follower engaging position. Full compression of the spring 77 serves to limit movement of the segment from its switch follower engaging position. Means are also provided for limiting throttle advancing movement of the control lever 25 when the segment 49 is in its pivoted position avoiding actuation of the switch 43. In one embodiment, such means takes the form of a stud or stop 83 projecting from the housing 23 in position for engagement by the end of the segment 49 connected to the link 55 as shown in FIG- URE 2.

In another embodiment, a lug or stop 89, as shown in FIGURE 4, is formed on the outer surface of the housing 23 in position for interferring engagement by the trigger ear 71 when the trigger is in outer position and the control lever 25 is displaced through a desired speed range from neutral.

In its broadest aspect, the invention is not limited to control for engines having electrically operated clutches. For instance, the movable segment could be a segment of gear teeth in a geared connection mechanically controlling a clutch. Alternatively, the movable segment could support the pin member of a Geneva wheel or pin and slot connection.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said control lever on said frame for movement of said lever relative to a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of an engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, clutch controlling means on said frame for controlling an engine clutch, means on said lever for actuating said clutch controlling means to control said clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means pivotally mounting said segment on said lever for movement relative to said lever and relative to a position engageable with said clutch controlling means to effect actuation thereof, and means for selectively displacing said segment from said position to avoid actuation of said clutch controlling means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford a throttle advance.

2. A control according to claim 1 including means carried by said lever for biasing said segment toward said position.

3. A control according to claim 2 including means on said frame and on said lever for restraining action of said biasing means when said lever is spaced from said neutral position.

4. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said control lever on said frame for movement of said lever relative to a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of an engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, clutch controlling means on said frame for controlling an engine clutch, means on said lever for actuating said clutch controlling means to control said clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means pivotally mounting said segment on said lever for movement relative to said lever and relative to a position engageable with said clutch controlling means to effect actuation thereof, means for selectively displacing said segment from said position to avoid actuation of said clutch controlling means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford a throttle advance, and means on said frame for limiting throttle advancing movement of said lever when said segment is displaced from said position.

5. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said control lever on said frame for movement of said lever relative to a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of the engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, clutch controlling means on said frame for controlling the engine clutch, means on said lever for actuating said clutch controlling means to control the clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means mounting said segment for movement relative to a position engageable with said clutch controlling means to effect actuation thereof, means for selectively displacing said segment from said position to avoid actuation of said clutch controlling means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford a throttle advance, and means on said frame for limiting throttle advancing movement of said lever when said segment is displaced from said position, said lever movement limiting means comprising engageable means on said segment on said frame.

6. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said control lever on said frame for movement of said lever relative to a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of the engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, clutch controlling means on said frame for controlling the engine clutch, means on said lever for actuating said clutch controlling means to control the clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means mounting said segment for movement relative to a position engageable with said clutch controlling means to effect actuation thereof, means for selectively displacing said segment from said position to avoid actuation of said clutch controlling means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford a throttle advance, and means on said frame for limiting throttle advancing movement of said lever when said segment is displaced from said position, said lever movement limiting means comprising engageable means on said lever and on said frame.

7. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and an electrically controlled clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said lever on said frame for movement of said lever to either side of a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of said throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, switch means on said frame for controlling said electrical clutch, means on said lever for actuating said switch means to control said clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means pivotally mounting said segment on said lever for movement relative to said lever and relative to a position engageable with said switch means to effect actuation thereof, and means for selectively displacing said segment from said switch engaging position to avoid actuation of said switch means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford a throttle advance.

8. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and an electrically controlled clutch, said con trol comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said lever on said frame for movement of said lever in a plane in both directions from a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of an engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, switch means on said frame for controlling an electrical clutch, means on said lever for actuating said switch means to control the clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means pivotally mounting said segment on said lever for movement relative to said lever and relative to a position engageable with said switch means to effect actuation thereof, and means for selectively avoiding actuation of said switch means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to afford a throttle advance including a member, means mounting said member on said lever for movement radially of said lever mounting means, and means connecting said member and said segment for displacement of the segment, in response to radial movement of said member, to a position avoiding engagement of said switch means in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position.

9. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and an electrically controlled clutch, said control comprising a frame, a con-trol lever, means mounting said lever on said frame for movement of said lever in a plane in both directions from a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling th setting of an engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, switch means on said frame for controlling an electrical clutch, means on said lever for actuating said switch means to control the clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means mounting said segment for movement relative to a position enageable with said switch means to effect actuation thereof, means for selectively avoiding actuation of said switch means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to afford a throttle advance including a member, means mounting said member on said lever for movement radially of said lever mounting means, and a link connecting said member and said segment for displacement of the segment, in response to radial movement of said member, to a position avoiding engagement of said switch means in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, means engaging said link for biasing said segment toward said position, means on said frame and on said member for restraining action of said biasing means when said lever is spaced from said neutral position, and means on said frame for limiting throttle advancing movement of said lever when said segment is displaced from said position.

10. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said control lever on said frame for movement of said lever relative to a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the setting of an engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, clutch controlling means on said frame for controlling an engine clutch, means on said lever for actuating said clutch controlling means to control said clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means mounting said segment for movement relative to a position engageable with said clutch controlling means to effect actuation thereof, means for selectively displacing said segment from said position to avoid actuation of said clutch controlling means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford throttle advance, and means carried by said lever for biasing said segment toward said position.

11. A single lever control for an engine having a throttle and a clutch, said control comprising a frame, a control lever, means mounting said control lever on said frame for movement of said lever relative to a neutral position, means connected to said frame and to said lever for controlling the set-ting of an engine throttle in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, clutch controlling means on said frame for controlling an e ngine clutch, means on said lever for actuating said clutch controlling means to control said clutch in response to movement of said lever from said neutral position, said actuating means including a segment, and means mounting said segment for movement relative to a position engageable with said clutch controlling means to effect actuation thereof, means for selectively displacing said segment from said position to avoid actuation of said clutch controlling means in response to movement of said lever from neutral position to thereby afford throttle advance, means carried by said lever for biasing said segment toward said position, and means on said frame and on said lever for restraining action of said biasing means when said lever is spaced from said neutral position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,057,221 10/ 1962 Smith 192.096 3,131,575 5/1964 Shimanckas. 3,139,767 7/ 1964 Shimanckas.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SINGLE LEVER CONTROL FOR AN ENGINE HAVING A THROTTLE AND A CLUTCH, SAID CONTROL COMPRISING A FRAME, A CONTROL LEVER, MEANS MOUNTING SAID CONTROL LEVER ON SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER RELATIVE TO A NEUTRAL POSITION, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME AND TO SAID LEVER FOR CONTROLLING THE SETTING OF AN ENGINE THROTTLE IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER FROM SAID NEUTRAL POSITION, CLUTCH CONTROLLING MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE CLUTCH, MEANS ON SAID LEVER FOR ACTUATING SAID CLUTCH CONTROLLING MEANS TO CONTROL SAID CLUTCH IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER FROM SAID NEUTRAL POSITION, SAID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING A SEGMENT, AND MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID SEGMENT ON SAID LEVER FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID LEVER AND RELATIVE TO A POSITION ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CLUTCH CONTROLLING MEANS TO EFFECT ACTUATION THEREOF, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY DISPLACING SAID SEGMENT FROM SAID POSITION TO AVOID ACTUATION OF SAID CLUTCH CONTROLLING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER FROM NEUTRAL POSITION TO THEREBY AFFORD A THROTTLE ADVANCE. 